Medical Physics Assistant (Healthcare)

The Medical Physicist Assistant (MPA) is responsible for performing duties, supervised and unsupervised, in support of and assigned by the Medical Physics department in keeping with the degree of competence documented by the individual. The individual is expected to become proficient in assigned duties. All work must be reviewed and approved by a qualified medical physicist as defined by CARTI. This position is generally a limited-time, one-year commitment.

SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Demonstrates and documents competency in each duty performed. Documentation will be approved and signed by a CARTI staff Medical Physicist.All work must be reviewed by a CARTI staff Medical Physicist in a timely manner.All work falls within the category of directly or indirectly supervised.
Directly supervised means a CARTI staff physicist is immediately present and witnessing work as it is performed. Directly supervised work is defined by those duties only able to be performed legally by a Qualified Medical Physicist (QMP). This includes, but is not limited to, all calibrations and all brachytherapy procedures.Indirectly supervised means the work is checked for accuracy prior to use in a clinical environment but may be performed without immediate supervision. Indirectly supervised work must be preceded by a documented statement of competence by a CARTI staff Medical Physicist pertaining to the duty being performed.
Performs quality assurance measurements on treatment and planning equipment according to established guidelines. Records and analyzes results of measurements.Performs routine daily, monthly, and annual QA.Performs contouring on patient image studies.Participates in departmental projects to the extent of demonstrated competency.Participates in developing calibration and quality assurance guidelines and schedules.Demonstrates and documents competency in each duty performed. Documentation will be approved and signed by a CARTI staff Medical Physicist.All work must be reviewed by a CARTI staff Medical Physicist in a timely manner.All work falls within the category of directly or indirectly supervised.
Directly supervised means a CARTI staff physicist is immediately present and witnessing work as it is performed. Directly supervised work is defined by those duties only able to be performed legally by a Qualified Medical Physicist (QMP). This includes, but is not limited to, all calibrations and all brachytherapy procedures.Indirectly supervised means the work is checked for accuracy prior to use in a clinical environment but may be performed without immediate supervision. Indirectly supervised work must be preceded by a documented statement of competence by a CARTI staff Medical Physicist pertaining to the duty being performed.
Performs quality assurance measurements on treatment and planning equipment according to established guidelines. Records and analyzes results of measurements.Performs routine daily, monthly, and annual QA.Performs contouring on patient image studies.Participates in departmental projects to the extent of demonstrated competency.Participates in developing calibration and quality assurance guidelines and schedules.Assists in maintaining quality assurance, calibration, data acquisition equipment and devices in good condition and current calibration.Assists in the institutional radiation protection program and in maintaining compliance with regulatory agencies as requested by the Director of Physics, including performing routine surveys, measurements, checks, tests and maintaining required records according to current license conditions.Provides assistance in the design and fabrication of patient treatment aids.Teaches physics classes to radiation therapy technology and dosimetry students.

CORPORATE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Participate in continuing education/training activities including monthly online training.Maintain a clean, neat, and safe environment for patients and staff.
Ensure that supplies and equipment are stored in an organized and efficient manner.Demonstrate correct and safe technique in the use of equipment according to specific product information.Follow appropriate procedure for obtaining and returning or cleaning/disposing of equipment and supplies.Participate in economical utilization of supplies and ensure equipment is maintained in a clean and safe manner.
Assist patients, family members or other clients with concern and empathy; respect their confidentiality and privacy and communicate with them in a courteous and respectful manner.Answer and refer telephone calls or other inquiries to ensure accurate and timely communications are facilitated.
Identify yourself in a pleasant and positive manner.Take responsibility for helping the caller.
Assist in the orientation/training for new team members.Assist other team members in the performance of their assignments.
Seek out opportunities to help rather than waiting to be asked.Consider the impact of your actions on team members throughout CARTI.
Take directions and initiate actions (cross/additional training) that will allow the assumption of cross-functional duties to ensure seamless workflow.Demonstrate flexibility to perform duties wherever deemed necessary.Demonstrate ability to handle emergency situations in a prompt, precise and professional manner.Demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns.
Investigate and follow through on unusual orders or requests for service or information.Follow proper reporting procedures for actual or potential accidents and/or incidents so follow up and/or prevention can occur.Record/report the need for service maintenance or repair of equipment and remove any faulty equipment from service.
Consistently evaluate work and determine if further steps are needed to meet client expectations.
Take initiative to do to redo inadequate or incomplete work, even if it is not yours.
Ensure compliance with regulatory standards.Consistently demonstrate ability to respond to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as reprioritizing work as necessary.Minimize non-productive time and fill slow periods with activities that will enable you to prepare to meet the future needs of the company (education, organizing, housekeeping, assisting others).Organize job functions and work area to be able to effectively complete varied assignments within established time frames.Consistently demonstrate ability to take the initiative to make decisions/choices without direct supervision.Adhere to Administrative and departmental policies.Ensure that the company is operated in an efficient and cost effective manner by adhering to CARTI attendance policies as documented in the divisions Attendance Policy.Demonstrate regular attendance and timeliness.Do not incur excessive overtime.Remain conscientious in regard to personal hygiene.Demonstrate adherence to the company Dress Code PolicyComply with policies and procedures concerning safety.Comply with the companys infection control policies and procedures including Body Substance Isolation (BSI) and the Exposure Control Plan which reflects OSHA Blood borne Pathogens Standard to ensure a safe working environment for self and others.Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of all policies and procedures and ability to reference them from appropriate sources.Demonstrate adherence and support of company-wide service standards as evidenced by observation and feedback from patients, family members, and other clients.

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS: May be required to travel to other CARTI facilities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: N/A

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE, REGISTRATION:
Masters degree in Medical Physics or closely related field such as Health Physics.Current Valid Drivers License

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:
Proficiency in the advanced concepts, principles and professional techniques of medical physics, normally obtained by acquiring a masters degree or higher from a CAMPEP accredited medical physics program.Has attained practical clinical medical physics knowledge through specific training and technical experience in a program supervised by a qualified medical physicist.Ability to use, operate, collect and analyze data from clinical linear accelerators, CT, treatment planning computers, treatment device fabrication systems, dosimetry and calibration instrumentation and devices, radiation survey and measurement instrumentation.

REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:
Must interact and communicate both verbally and in written form.Must interact and exchange information regarding patients with physicians and other departmental personnel, and outside agencies on a frequent basis while respecting the confidentiality of patient information.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

This position involves potential exposure to infectious diseases. Team members are offered appropriate vaccinations and safety training.